Tuck tab closure

ABSTRACT

A recloseable closure for a container such as secondary packaging. The recloseable closure has a tuck tab to be tucked into a tuck slit to maintain the closure in a closed configuration to maintain articles within the secondary packaging. The tuck tab has a unique configuration, and the tuck slit has a protrusion that also has a unique configuration and which is positioned to cover the tuck tab when the tuck tab is tucked in the tuck slit. The tuck tab may be shaped to conform to the shape of the contents of the container, and/or may have a graphic element printed thereon, illustrating the contents of the container. The tuck slit protrusion may be configured to conform to the shape of the tuck tab and to bear the same graphic element as on the tuck tab. Thus, when the tuck tab is tucked into the slit, the tuck slit protrusion covers the tuck tab while still displaying substantially the same graphic element displayed by the tuck flap.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a recloseable closure for a container.More particularly, the present invention relates to a uniquelyconfigured tuck tab on a tuck tab-tuck slit type closure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recloseable containers, such as cartons, are well known in the art forpackaging goods that are to be returned to their container, or for itemswhich are to be used only partially, leaving a portion of the item(s)within the container for later use. The container itself may be formedin any desirable manner, with any number of side walls, in any of avariety of shapes, and of any of a variety of materials, such aspaperboard, cardboard, or plastic. A common, basic recloseable containeris a carton that may be described as having four major panels that aregenerally orthogonal to one another (e.g., front, top, back, and bottompanels) to form a generally tubular structure, and end panels extendingbetween the major panels and closing the open ends of the generallytubular structure on either side. Typically, the end panels are formedby overlapping flaps to hold together and to close the panels of thecarton.

A recloseable closure may be achieved in a variety of manners. A commonrecloseable closure for a carton is achieved by providing a panelconfigured to interact with another panel of the carton, or with aseparate closure element (e.g., a tie, a snap, a magnet, an adhesive,etc.). For instance, a carton may have an opening panel with a tuck flapextending therefrom and configured to tuck into the carton. The openingpanel is moveable between a closed configuration (in which the panelforms a wall of the carton to enclose the contents of the carton) and anopen configuration (in which the panel is moved away from the otherwalls of the carton to permit access to the contents of the carton). Thetuck flap extends substantially perpendicular to the opening panel andmay be tucked into the carton when the opening panel is in a closedconfiguration to interact with an adjacent panel that is alsosubstantially perpendicular to the opening panel to maintain the openingpanel in a closed configuration.

Another recloseable closure configuration that permits convenientrecloseability is achieved by the provision of at least two panels thatare initially coupled or otherwise held together (such as by anadhesive) to close the carton, and which can be moved apart into an openconfiguration to access the contents of the carton. The closure panelsare configured to interlock with each other, or otherwise to interactwith each other to be maintained in a closed configuration, therebyclosing the carton contents within the carton. One common configurationfor reclosing a pair of closure panels is to provide one panel with atuck tab that is tucked into a slit in the other panel to hold thepanels in the closed configuration.

One type of carton configuration typically provided with a reclosableclosure is a carton having a panel in addition to the major panelsforming the substantially tubular structure enclosing the contents ofthe carton. One such carton is commonly known as a fifth panel carton,having an additional panel generally associated with and overlapping oneof the four major panels (and thus “fifth” with reference to those fourpanels) of the carton. The fifth panel may be used for various purposes,such as to provide additional billboard space, to provide a panel inwhich a hang hole may be formed to permit the package to be hung from apeg, or to provide a coupon. The fifth panel also may provide a moresecure recloseable configuration, since the fifth panel generallyextends beyond the closure panel (which covers the carton opening) tooverlap, either partially or completely, another panel (generally anintegral wall of the carton) and thereby to provide a larger panel whichmust be moved a further extent than shorter closure panels (such as thehalf-panels used to close cartons such as cereal or cracker boxes) toresult in inadvertent opening of the carton. Because the fifth panelreduces the risk of the carton closure being inadvertently opened,particularly when the fifth panel carton is tucked between other items,a fifth panel carton is particularly desirable for portable cartons thatare intended to be transported or stored and which are intended forrepeated opening and closing. In addition, the fifth panel may bepartially adhered to the panel which it overlaps to tear away a portionof the underlying panel upon initial opening of the carton to permitclean and easy viewing of and to facilitate access to the contents ofthe carton. A “kiss cut” or partial-depth cut through only portion ofthe thickness of the front panel may be used at additional points atwhich the fifth panel is adhered. The fifth panel thus may be maintainedin an initial closed configuration by being adhered not only to thetear-away portion of the panel it overlaps, but also by being adhered tomaterial surrounded by a kiss cut. Upon initial opening, the fifth panelremoves a portion of the underlying panel to reveal the contents of thecarton and also merely a top layer of the front panel within the kisscut.

It would be desirable to form a fifth panel carton with a recloseableclosure that only minimally affects the above-noted benefit of addedbillboard space. More generally, it would be desirable to form for anytype of carton a recloseable closure that enhances the aesthetics of thecarton and only minimally affects the messaging provided on the exteriorof the carton.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a containeris provided with a recloseable closure having a unique configurationboth when the closure is in an open configuration as well as in a closedconfiguration. The closure may be formed by a pair of closure panels, orby an additional panel, such as a fifth panel, interacting with themajor panel which the additional panel is configured to overlap. Inaccordance with one embodiment, a tuck slit is formed in one of theclosure panels or the major panel, and a tuck tab is formed on the otherclosure panel or the additional panel. The tuck tab has a uniqueconfiguration (such as a shape selected to correspond to messagingprinted thereon), and the tuck slit has a uniquely configured protrusionpreferably correlating to (such as by complementing or corresponding toor matching) the unique configuration of the tuck tab. The uniqueconfiguration may, for example, be further designed to correlate withmessaging (such as branding, graphics, product information, etc.) on theexterior of the closure. When the tuck tab is tucked into the tuck slit,the uniquely configured tuck slit protrusion covers the uniquelyconfigured tuck tab. Accordingly, a uniquely configured closure elementis visible whether the closure is in a closed configuration or an openconfiguration.

In accordance with one embodiment, the unique configuration of the tuckslit substantially matches the unique configuration of the tuck tab.Thus, upon tucking the tuck tab within the tuck slit, the uniqueconfiguration presented by the tuck tab when in an open configuration(typically lying over the tuck slit) is presented by the tuck slitprotrusion when the tuck tab in a closed configuration (tucked withinthe tuck slit). The tuck slit protrusion may be said to replicate or tomimic the form of the tuck tab so the visual effect of the selectedunique configuration of the tuck tab is maintained by the tuck slitprotrusion, regardless of whether the closure is open or closed. It willbe appreciated that correlated or corresponding or non-matchingconfigurations are also within the scope of the present invention.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention, the scope of the invention being set out in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters representlike elements, as follows:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary blank for forming an exemplarycarton to which a closure formed in accordance with principles of thepresent invention may be applied;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an exemplary carton, such asformed by the exemplary blank of FIG. 1, having a closure formed inaccordance with principles of the present invention, the carton being inan initial configuration before initial opening;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 2 in an openconfiguration; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the carton of FIGS. 1 and 2 in aclosed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tuck tab/tuck slit type closure thatmay be applied to any of a variety of containers, such as a cartons.Thus, it will be appreciated that although the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4 shows a fifth panel carton having a closure formed inaccordance with principles of the present invention, principles of thepresent invention may be applied to any other container configuration.It will further be appreciated that principles of the present inventionmay be applied to any of a variety of closure panels arranged tointeract with each other. Thus, a tuck tab formed in accordance withprinciples of the present invention may be formed on a panel or tuckflap that does not form a structural panel of the container (e.g., anadditional panel which overlaps a major panel of a carton), or a panelor tuck flap which is a structural panel of the container (e.g., apartial panel, which, together with another partial panel, forms astructural panel of the container, such as the partial panels typicallyprovided to permit access to the contents of boxes containing such itemsas cereal or crackers or cookies). Likewise, a tuck slit formed inaccordance with principles of the present invention may be formed on apanel that does not form a structural panel of the container, or a panelwhich is a structural panel of the container.

A closure formed in accordance with principles of the present inventionhas a tuck flap with a uniquely configured tuck tab, and a correspondingtuck slit (in which the tuck tab is configured to be inserted) with aprotrusion preferably configured to correlate to (either bycomplementing, corresponding to, matching, or otherwise) theconfiguration of the tuck tab. As used herein, the term “unique” isintended to indicate a configuration (shape, color, graphics, or othervisual feature or characteristic) that is non-standard, customized, orotherwise specifically designed or selected. In one embodiment, theunique configuration of the tuck slit protrusion complements orcorresponds to or matches the unique configuration of the tuck tab. Whenthe tuck flap is tucked into the tuck slit, the tuck tab is covered bythe protrusion. Thus, if a unique configuration for a closure element isdesired, a unique configuration may be available for viewing whether ornot the tuck tab is tucked in the tuck slit or not. For instance, auniquely configured tuck tab and a similarly uniquely configured tuckslit protrusion may be provided so that the uniquely configured tuckslit protrusion becomes viewable when the uniquely configured tuck tabis tucked into the tuck slit, so that the closure displays the uniqueconfiguration whether in an open or a closed configuration.

The principles of the present invention may be applied in conjunctionwith graphics, indicia, messaging, logos, or other printed matter(hereinafter “graphics” for the sake of simplicity, without intent tolimit) of a particular shape. The principles of the present inventionare particularly beneficial if the shape of the tuck tab and tuck slitprotrusion complements, corresponds to, or matches the given,predetermined shape of the graphics. Graphics on the closure elementbearing the tuck tab may be extended over the tuck tab itself, and alsomay be provided on the tuck slit protrusion so that the graphics are nothidden when the tuck tab is tucked into the tuck slit. Instead, when thetuck flap is tucked into the tuck slit, although the graphics on thetuck tab are covered by the closure element bearing the tuck slit,graphics on the tuck slit protrusion (such as the same or substantiallythe same graphics, or corresponding or complementary graphics) becomereadily viewable. Predetermined graphics are thus viewable whether ornot the tuck tab is tucked within the tuck slit. It will be appreciatedthat the graphics on either or both of the tuck tab and tuck slitprotrusion may be beneficially selected to provide useful or importantinformation to a consumer. For instance, the graphics on either or bothof the tuck tab and tuck slit protrusion may represent the content orcontents of the container provided with the closure of the presentinvention, thereby permitting consumers to cross-reference the image onthe exterior of the container (represented by the graphics on either orboth of the tuck tab and tuck slit protrusion) with the contents of thecontainer. The tuck tab or tuck slit protrusion may have a unique shapecorrelated to or complementing or corresponding to the graphics.

The above-described principles of the present invention may be appliedto the exemplary carton of FIGS. 1-4, showing an exemplary embodiment ofa recloseable closure formed in accordance with principles of thepresent invention. As may be best appreciated with reference toexemplary carton blank 100 shown in FIG. 1, exemplary tuck flap 110 hasa uniquely configured tuck tab 112, and exemplary tuck slit 120 has auniquely configured tuck slit protrusion 122. Tuck tab 112 and tuck slitprotrusion 122 of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 are formed tohave correlated (complementary or corresponding or matching)configurations (e.g., shape or other decorative element, such asgraphics thereon). Tuck slit protrusion 122 preferably is configured andlocated to correspond to the configuration and location of tuck tab 112when tuck tab 112 is tucked in tuck slit 120 so that when blank 100 isassembled into a carton and tuck tab 112 is tucked into tuck slit 120,tuck slit protrusion 122 contributes to maintaining tuck flap 110 in aclosed configuration with tuck tab 112 within tuck slit 120, and alsocovers and substantially hides and replaces tuck tab 112. It will beappreciated that tuck slit 120 may, at either end thereof, have cuts 121a, 121 b transverse to the predominant direction of tuck slit 120 toprevent undesired tearing of the panel in which tuck slit 120 is formedwhen tuck tab 112 is tucked therein.

In one embodiment, the shape or configuration of tuck tab 112 isselected to correspond to or to match the shape of graphics 114 providedthereon. Corresponding (similar or substantially identical) graphics114′ may be provided on tuck slit protrusion 122. Thus, not only is auniquely shaped region present both when tuck tab 112 is outside tuckslit 120 and when tuck tab 112 is tucked in tuck slit 120, but alsounique graphics are visible regardless of the engagement of tuck tab 112within tuck slit 120. Provision of unique graphics may be usedadvantageously in connection with containers for articles which must beproperly identified. For instance, oral dosage forms (such as, withoutlimitation, lozenges, gums, tablets, chewable tablets, orallydisintegrating tablets, coated tablets, capsules, and simulatedcapsule-like medicaments such as caplets) can bear unique identifiers(e.g., brand name, logo, dose, duration indication—such as 12 or 24).Because oral dosage forms are often subject to counterfeiting and/orcopying, it is particularly advantageous for consumers to be able tocross-reference the image on the exterior of the container containingthe oral dosage form with the oral dosage form within the container. Itis particularly advantageous that such information is displayed both bythe tuck flap and also by the tuck slit protrusion and therefore is nothidden upon closure of the carton. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS.1-4, graphics 114 and 114′ are in the shape of a tablet to be containedwithin carton 200.

It will be appreciated that the present invention may be viewed asrelating to correlated configurations in a general sense such that tucktab 112 and tuck slit protrusion 122 interact to create a unique visualaffect. As such, correlated shapes of and graphics on tuck tab 112 andtuck slit protrusion 122 may be considered separate and independentaspects of the present invention which need not both be provided to forma closure in accordance with principles of the present invention. Forinstance, the shape or configuration of tuck tab 112 and tuck slitprotrusion 122 may be correlated and individually need not match thegraphics thereon. Thus, the correlation of tuck tab 112 and tuck slitprotrusion 122 may be limited to shape or configuration withoutcorrespondence of graphics. In fact, different graphics may be providedon tuck tab 112 and tuck slit protrusion 122. Alternatively, only thegraphics on tuck tab 112 and tuck slit protrusion 122 may correspond toeach other, with the shape of tuck tab 112 differing from the shape oftuck slit protrusion 122. Preferably, in such configuration in whichtuck tab 112 and tuck slit protrusion 122 do not correspond to eachother in both shape and graphics, tuck tab 112 and tuck slit protrusion122 are still formed in matching locations such that when tuck tab 112is tucked in tuck slit 120, tuck slit protrusion 122 covers, and therebyessentially replaces, the visual impression created by tuck tab 112. Itwill also be appreciated that correspondence of shape and/or graphicsneed not mean matching, but may be complementary correspondence (e.g.,related shapes or graphics that are not identical).

The visual affect of tuck tab 112 and tuck slit protrusion 122 havingcorrelated shapes or configurations and/or bearing correlated graphicsmay be appreciated with reference to FIGS. 2-4, illustrating exemplarycarton blank 100 assembled into a carton 200. The manner in which majorpanels 131, 132, 133, 134, and 135 are folded (typically along creasefold lines) to form the major walls of assembled carton 200, and sidepanels 136 a, 136 b, 137 a, 137 b, and tabs 138 a, 138 b, 139 a, 139 bare folded over one another to form end walls of assembled carton 200need not involve any techniques not readily understood by one ofordinary skill in the art and therefore is not detailed herein. Carton200 is a fifth panel type carton, with an open end along an end wall(rather than a major wall) thereof. Such carton configuration isparticularly suitable for containing one or more substantially planaritems, such as blister cards, slabs of gum, etc., which may be withdrawnthrough the opening along the narrow end of the carton. However, it willbe appreciated that carton 200 may hold any of a variety of items,including, without limitation, candy, mints, gum, cookies, crackers,etc., without affecting the scope of the present invention. Theextension of fifth panel 135 beyond the periphery of the open end ofcarton 200, in contrast with a closure panel substantially correspondingto the periphery of the open end of the carton, reduces the likelihoodof articles falling out from the open end, as readily understood bythose of ordinary skill in the art.

Carton 200 is shown in FIG. 2 in a configuration in which tuck tab 112overlays or hides from view tuck slit protrusion 120. Such configurationis typical in an initial closed and sealed configuration of carton 200,wherein the closure panel bearing tuck tab 112 (in this case, fifthpanel 135) is adhered to the closure panel bearing tuck slit 120 (inthis case first or front panel 131) to close carton 200 in a sealedconfiguration. In this exemplary embodiment, tuck tab 112 is shaped likea tablet and bears an image of the tablet to be contained within carton200. It will be appreciated that such use of tuck tab shape and graphicsmay be applied to cartons for other types of products (using appropriatetuck tab shapes and graphics) without affecting the intent or scope ofthe present invention.

In a fifth panel type carton such as exemplary carton 200 illustrated inFIGS. 2-4, the fifth panel 135 may not only be adhered to front panel131 to keep carton 200 in a sealed configuration, but may also beadhered to a tear-away portion 131 a on front panel 131 (delineated by alines of weakening, such as a perforation line or other type of scoreline facilitating tearing) to form a tamper evident closure. Fifth panel135 may also be adhered to front panel 131 at additional areas if fifthpanel 135 extends beyond tear-away portion 131. Preferably, theadditional areas 131 b, 131 c at which fifth panel 135 is secured tofront panel 131 are each surrounded by a kiss cut (a partial cutextending only partially through the wall thickness of front panel 131).Accordingly, when fifth panel 135 is moved away from front panel 131 andout of its initial sealed configuration, fifth panel 135 pulls with ittear-away portion 131 a, and only the top layer of areas 131 b, 131 c,leaving a cut-away area of front panel 131. Such cut-away areafacilitates viewing of the contents of carton 200 and also mayfacilitate access to such articles, as may be appreciated with referenceto FIG. 3.

The principles of the present invention may be readily appreciated withreference to FIG. 4, showing tuck flap 110 and tuck tab 112 tucked intotuck slit 120 and covered by tuck slit protrusion 122. As may beappreciated, particularly in comparison with FIG. 2, exemplary tuck slitprotrusion 122 mimics not only the shape of but also the graphics ontuck tab 112. Accordingly, there is a visible graphic element 114, 114′(in this case, in the form of the contents of carton 200) and uniquelyshaped feature (uniquely shaped tuck tab 112 or tuck slit protrusion122) whether or not tuck flap 110 and tuck tab 112 are tucked withintuck slit 120.

In addition to the unique visual affect provided by tuck slit protrusion122 (by complementing or corresponding or mimicking or replicating theappearance of tuck tab 112), tuck slit protrusion 122 also may provide amore secure closure of the closure panel from which tuck tab 112extends. In particular, tuck slit protrusion 122 extends or protrudesbeyond the edges of tuck slit 120 on either side of tuck slit protrusion122 so that instead of merely being tucked into a tuck slit 120, tucktab 112 is also held in place by the additional material provided bytuck slit protrusion 122. Such configuration is particularlyadvantageous when used with a tuck slit that is not ideally configuredfor maintaining tuck tab 112 therein in a tucked-in, closedconfiguration. Similarly, such configuration is particularlyadvantageous when used with a uniquely configured tuck flap 110. Auniquely configured tuck slit 120 and/or tuck flap 110 may beparticularly desirable, such as for aesthetic reasons, if graphics 144,such as a logo associated with the contents of container 200, areprovided on carton 200. The unique configuration of tuck slit 120 and/ortuck flap 110 may correspond to or complement graphics 144. Forinstance, the extent of tuck slit 120 and/or the free edge of tuck flap110, or the shapes of tuck slit protrusion 122 and/or tuck tab 112 maybe configured to correspond to or to complement graphics 144.

One embodiment of a unique tuck slit and tuck flap configuration isillustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-4. As may beappreciated with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, tuck slit 120extends at an angle with respect to the edges of panel 131 in which tuckslit 120 is formed. More particularly, tuck slit 120 extends from aright side edge of panel 131 toward a bottom edge of panel 131 and isparallel to neither the top/bottom edges nor the side edges of panel131. In addition, exemplary tuck slit 120 is curvilinear rather thanstraight. The free edge 111 of tuck tab 110 along which tuck tab 112 isformed may have a similarly curvilinear shape corresponding to the shapeof tuck slit 120. As may be appreciated with reference to FIG. 4, suchconfiguration of tuck slit 120 (and free edge 111) is not conducive tomaintaining tuck flap 110 in a tucked-in configuration within tuck slit120. The provision of tuck slit protrusion 122 substantially overcomessuch drawback of the unique configuration of tuck slit 120, and,optionally, of free edge 111 of tuck flap 110. It will be appreciatedthat other unique configurations of a tuck slit (shape, location,extent, etc.) benefit from the provision of a tuck slit protrusion asprovided in accordance with principles of the present invention. It willfurther be appreciated that if tuck tab free edge 111 and/or tuck slit120 has a unique configuration, the functionality of such elements of aclosure formed in accordance with principles of the present inventionneed not be impaired, as tuck slit protrusion 122 assumes the main roleof maintaining tuck tab 112 in its tucked-in configuration within tuckslit 120. It will further be appreciated that such aspect of the presentinvention permits not only complementary configurations of tuck tab 112and tuck slit protrusion 122, but also complementary configurations oftuck slit 120 and free edge 111 along which tuck tab 120 extends.

Thus, in accordance with principles of the present invention, arecloseable closure for a container is configured to enhance theaesthetics of the container without detracting from the functionality ofthe closure. It will be appreciated that features described with respectto the illustrated embodiment are applicable to other containers. Withrespect to the above descriptions, it will be appreciated that thedirectional references “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “end,” or“edge” do not limit the respective panels or sides or edges to suchorientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels or sides oredges from one another. Moreover, the exact spatial relation betweenpanels, and the provision and/or position of locking tabs and slits maybe varied without departing from the basic principles of the presentinvention. Finally, it will be appreciated that the shape of theindividual panels or side walls of a container formed with a closure inaccordance with principles of the present invention need not be squareor rectangular.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that variousadditions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Inparticular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures,arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, andcomponents, without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that theinvention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement,proportions, materials, and components and otherwise, used in thepractice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specificenvironments and operative requirements without departing from theprinciples of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodimentis therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims, and not limited to the foregoing description.

1. A container having a recloseable closure, said container comprising:a plurality of panels including a first closure panel and a secondclosure panel; a tab extending from said first closure panel; and a slitformed in said second closure panel to receive said tab; wherein: saidtab has a unique shape; said slit has a slit protrusion having a uniqueshape corresponding to said unique shape of said tab; and said slitprotrusion is located to cover said tab when said tab is tucked in saidslit so that said unique shape of said slit protrusion is viewable whenhiding said unique shape of said tab from view.
 2. A container as inclaim 1, wherein said unique shape of said slit protrusion substantiallymatches said unique shape of said tab.
 3. A container as in claim 1,wherein graphics are provided on said tab and on said slit protrusion.4. A container as in claim 3, wherein said unique shape of and saidgraphics on said tab match said unique shape of and graphics on saidslit protrusion.
 5. A container as in claim 4, wherein said uniqueshapes of and graphics on said tab and said slit protrusion arerepresentative of contents of said container.
 6. A container as in claim3, wherein said graphics illustrate contents of said container.
 7. Acontainer as in claim 1, wherein: graphics are provided on at least oneof said panels of said container; and said slit is configured tocomplement said graphics on said at least one of said container panels.8. A container as in claim 7, wherein: said tab extends from a tuckflap; and said tuck flap has a free edge configured to complement saidconfiguration of said slit.
 9. A container as in claim 1, wherein: saidcontainer comprises at least three major panels enclosing the contentsof said container; said slit is formed in one of said three majorpanels; and said first closure panel is formed on an additional paneloverlapping one of said three major panels.
 10. A closure for acontainer for holding one or more contents, said closure comprising: atab extending from a first portion of said container and having a uniqueshape; and a slit in a second portion of said container configured toreceive said tab to place said closure in a closed configuration, saidslit having a slit protrusion with a unique shape; wherein said tab andsaid slit protrusion are positioned relative to each other so that saidwhen said tab is tucked into said slit, said slit protrusion covers andreplaces the unique shape of said tab.
 11. A closure as in claim 10,wherein said unique shape of said slit protrusion corresponds to saidunique shape of said tab.
 12. A closure as in claim 11, wherein saidunique shape of said slit protrusion matches said unique shape of saidtab.
 13. A closure as in claim 12, wherein said slit protrusion mimicssaid tab when said tab is tucked into said slit.
 14. A closure as inclaim 10, wherein at least one of said tab and said slit protrusion isshaped to correspond to contents of said container.
 15. A closure as inclaim 10, wherein graphics are provided on said tab and on said slitprotrusion.
 16. A closure as in claim 15, wherein said unique shape ofand said graphics on said tab match said unique shape of and graphics onsaid slit protrusion.
 17. A closure for a container, said closurecomprising: a tab extending from a first portion of said container andhaving a unique configuration; and a slit in a second portion of saidcontainer configured to receive said tab to place said closure in aclosed configuration, said slit having a protrusion having a uniqueconfiguration complementing said unique configuration of said tab;wherein said tab and said slit protrusion are positioned relative toeach other so that said when said tab is tucked into said slit, saidslit protrusion covers and replaces the unique configuration of saidtab.
 18. A closure as in claim 17, wherein said unique configuration ofsaid tab and said unique configuration of said slit protrusion matcheach other.
 19. A closure as in claim 17, wherein said uniqueconfiguration of said tab is at least one of a unique shape and uniquegraphics.
 20. A closure as in claim 19, wherein said uniqueconfiguration of said slit protrusion is at least one of a unique shapeand unique graphics.
 21. A closure as in claim 20, wherein said uniqueconfiguration of said tab and said unique configuration of said slitprotrusion match each other.
 22. A closure as in claim 19, wherein saidunique configuration of said tab comprises graphics depicting thecontent of said container.
 23. A closure as in claim 22, wherein saidunique configuration of said tab further comprises a unique shapecorresponding to said graphics.
 24. A closure as in claim 23, whereinsaid unique configuration of said slit protrusion comprises graphicsmatching said graphics on said tab and a shape matching said shape ofsaid tab.
 25. A closure as in claim 22, wherein said uniqueconfiguration of said slit protrusion comprises graphics matching saidgraphics of said tab.